Emirates Wire | Tuesday, 29 September 2026
By Steve Moore
Morning. Steve Moore here. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reportedly visited Abu Dhabi on Sunday and met UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed. Associated Press (AP) says he asked the UAE President to deny reports that he had warned Netanyahu of a looming Hamas attack before 7 October 2023.
An Israeli source told CNN that Iran dominated the agenda, while the UAE declined to discuss the reported meeting. Elsewhere, Bloomberg reports that Iranian officials are privately pessimistic about a deal before November’s US midterm elections. Saudi Arabia has resumed exports through its repaired East-West pipeline, and Manchester City says its financial-rules case remains unfinished.
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Netanyahu’s reported visit draws scrutiny
A senior Israeli official told Reuters that Netanyahu visited Abu Dhabi on Sunday and met Sheikh Mohamed. Two people briefed on the trip also confirmed the meeting to Associated Press.
One person claiming firsthand knowledge told AP that Netanyahu asked Sheikh Mohamed to deny Israeli newspaper Haaretz’s report about a warning before the 7 October attack. Netanyahu has denied the warning report and threatened legal action against the newspaper.
An Israeli source familiar with the visit told CNN that Iran dominated the agenda. The UAE Foreign Ministry declined to comment on reports of the meeting, but said the UAE and Israel maintain “open and direct lines of communication” and share relevant intelligence. In May, the UAE denied an Israeli claim that Netanyahu had visited in March.
Iran reportedly featured in the Abu Dhabi discussions. In New York, mediators are trying to establish what Washington and Tehran would accept in a renewed agreement.
Iranian officials doubt deal before US midterms
Iranian officials are privately pessimistic about reaching an agreement to end hostilities and reopen the Strait of Hormuz before November’s US midterm elections, Bloomberg reported on Monday. It cited people familiar with the matter, some of whom Iranian officials had briefed.
Those people said last week’s New York talks had made little progress. They said Tehran saw a high chance of the conflict escalating after the 3 November vote.
Trump said on Sunday that he expected further talks with Iran this week, despite rejecting Tehran’s latest proposal a day earlier. Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said Tehran was still waiting for an official US response through mediators.
Iran’s proposal included reopening the Strait of Hormuz and restarting nuclear talks within seven days, the New York Times reported. Araghchi said the seven-day period would begin when the US accepted the plan.
Reuters reported on Monday that mediators expected separate meetings with each side on Monday or Tuesday to discuss an amended proposal. AP separately reported that mediators were still working on a deal to reopen Hormuz and lift the US blockade of Iranian ports, with sanctions relief to follow.
AP’s account of the draft described a temporary Iran-Oman arrangement to manage shipping traffic, without tolls. The terms remain under discussion. One official told AP that Washington was seeking nuclear concessions, including access for inspectors.
Saudi Arabia, meanwhile, has resumed exports through its repaired pipeline to the Red Sea.
Saudi pipeline exports resume after repairs
Bloomberg cited one unnamed person with direct knowledge of the East-West pipeline’s export restart and another who put flows at about 3.5 million barrels a day. Repairs followed drone strikes earlier this month.
The line has a capacity of about 7 million barrels a day and carries oil across the kingdom to Yanbu on the Red Sea. The pipeline also feeds Saudi refineries, so total throughput includes oil used domestically.
Reuters had reported a restart at low pumping rates on 22 September, with exports then expected to follow. Aramco and the Saudi energy ministry did not immediately respond to Bloomberg’s requests for comment.
Infrastructure at Yanbu has also been targeted during the conflict. The alternative route remains exposed to further attacks.
In Manchester, Sheikh Mansour’s club is facing the next stage of its Premier League financial-rules case.
City says process continues after reported ruling
An independent commission has reportedly upheld 114 of the 115 Premier League charges against Manchester City. Reuters reported the finding on Friday, citing The Athletic. Sheikh Mansour’s Abu Dhabi United Group bought the club in 2008.
The BBC reported on Sunday that the findings remained unpublished and a sanctions hearing could still be months away. City said the process remained ongoing, with “significant elements to be completed”, and maintained its longstanding denial of wrongdoing.
The allegations include failures to provide accurate financial information covering the 2009/10 to 2017/18 seasons. Other charges, including those concerning cooperation with the investigation, extend beyond that period.
The BBC expects an appeal. Potential penalties include fines, points deductions or loss of Premier League membership.
ADQ begins compulsory AD Ports buyout
In Abu Dhabi, investor ADQ, a wholly owned subsidiary of L’imad Holding, has begun the compulsory purchase of AD Ports’ remaining shares. Its holding reached 98.93% following the earlier cash offer.
Remaining shareholders will receive Dh6.25 per share, the same price as the tender offer, according to Aletihad’s report of the announcement. The newspaper reports that settlement is expected on 22 December, subject to a 60-day waiting period and shareholder approval of an amendment to the company’s articles.
The process is intended to bring AD Ports into full ownership and take it private. Shareholders should follow the formal company notices for the timetable and payment arrangements.
Dubai’s latest investment plans concern advanced healthcare.
Dubai sets out longevity ambitions
Dubai’s Crown Prince, Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed, has approved the Dubai Longevity Authority’s strategy and operating budget. The authority regulates businesses offering advanced healthcare and services intended to extend healthy life.
Sheikh Hamdan said the strategy aimed to contribute more than Dh35bn to Dubai’s economy over the next decade. That is a projected economic contribution, not the amount Dubai has announced it will spend.
The plans cover research and development, clinical trials and manufacturing, and sector regulation. The Emirates News Agency report did not give a budget figure.
Companies will need to meet the authority’s licensing requirements. Claims about longer or healthier lives should be judged against evidence for the treatments offered.
Travel plans, meanwhile, have been disrupted by flight delays and cancellations.
Check your flight before leaving home
Flights at UAE airports were delayed or cancelled on Sunday and Monday, Gulf News reported. It cautioned that some incidents could have operational or technical causes unrelated to the regional conflict.
Check your airline’s current flight-status page before travelling to the airport. Contact the carrier directly if your service has been cancelled.
On the ground, Etihad Rail’s Dubai Al Yalayis station is scheduled to begin passenger services on Wednesday, 30 September. The National reported Dubai-Abu Dhabi Comfort fares of Dh39 when tickets went on sale. Check Etihad Rail for current availability and departure details.
What to watch
Any UAE or Israeli confirmation of Sunday’s reported meeting, or a response to the allegations about the pre-7 October warning.
An official US reply to Iran’s proposal and confirmation of further indirect talks.
Sustained flows through Saudi Arabia’s East-West pipeline and any further attacks around Yanbu.
Etihad Rail’s planned Dubai launch on Wednesday, alongside current airline disruption notices.
If a colleague has been asking what these developments mean for the UAE, forward this edition to them. If it reached you that way, subscribe and join us for the next briefing.
And if something in these stories looks different from where you sit, I would like to hear about it. Send tips, corrections and your experience on the ground to steve@emirateswire.co.uk.
Have a good Tuesday. If you’re taking one of the first trains from Dubai tomorrow, let me know how the station access and onward connections work.
Steve
Emirates Wire uses AI tools to assist with research, early drafting, fact-checking and copy-editing. Steve Moore reviews, edits and personally approves every sentence before publication.
If a colleague has been asking what these developments mean for the UAE, forward this edition to them. If it reached you that way, subscribe and join us for the next briefing.